Buoyant propeller for steamboats



(No Model.)

W. HALL.

BUOYANT PROPELLBR FOR STEAMBOATS.

No. 331,496. Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

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ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAM HALL, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.

BUOYANT PROPELLER FOR STEAMBOATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,496, dated December 1, 1885. Application filed July 22, 1885. Serial No. 172,327. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM HALL, of Waterbury, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Steamboat-s, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My'invention relates to a steamboat wherein the propeller or propellers constitute floats for buoying up the boat.

My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a flat boat made in accordance with my invention; and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same, taken onthe line a: as of Fig. 1.'

A A represent two hollow cylindrical floats that support the body B of the boat, and con stitute the hull thereof. The floats are by preference made cigar-shaped, and they are each placed upon a central shaft, C. These shafts are journaled at their ends in the uprights B B of the body B, so that the floats A may be revolved for propelling the boat. For this latter purpose the floats A are each formed or provided at the rear end with. spiral propelling-blades a a.

It will be noticed that the blades of the propellers are only formed for a short distance from the rear ends of the floatsabout one third the length of such floatso that in passing through the water the latter will not be ruffled under the float, but only in rear of the same. It will also be seen that the floats are made of a variable diameter, being larger in advance of the propeller-blades. By this construction, when used in rough weather, the water will be smoothed before it is struck by the blades, and the latter will not be injured by the waves, and will have a stronger operating force against or on the water.

Various means may be devised for revolving the floats A, and the means will be varied,

according to the, shape of the body B, which floats A consist of the crank-shaft [9, gearwheel a, secured on the crank-shaft, pinion d, secured on the shaft of one of the floats A, large intermediate gear-wheel, e, and pinion g, secured upon the shaftof the other float A, so that by revolving the crank-shaft b by steam or other power the floats A will both be re volved, causing blades a to propel the boat through the water.

Although I have shown only two floats, A, it will be understood that I use two, three, or more, as desired.

I am aware that propellers for vessels have been formed of floats tapered at both ends, and having a spiral blade on their outer surfaces extending the entire length. In some instances both end surfaces were not provided with the blade, and in others a space between the ends was left plain, and I do not claim such asof my invention.

' Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The propelling-float for ships herein described, consisting of the hollow float having spiral blades at its rear portion, and having an enlarged diameter in advance of said blades. 2. The combination, with the vessel B, of the floats A, and the blades a a, secured to said floats at or near their rear ends, whereby the water will not be churned below the body of the vessel, substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM HALL. Witnesses:

WM. F. LEwIs, JOHN LEGGETT, Jr. 

